Date of reserved for orders : --- Date of pronouncement : 29.06.2026 Date of uploading : APHC010255982026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3331] MONDAY, THE 29th DAY OF JUNE 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 16840/2026 Between: 1. VERRU CHENCHAIAH, S/O CHENCHAIAH AGE. 59 YEARS, OCC. F.P. SHOP DEALER OF SHOP NO.0856008, SINGARAYAKONDA TOWN AND MANDAL, PRAKASANN DIST.-523101. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP.BY ITS PRINCIPLE SECRETARY CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DIST-522237 2. THE JOINT COLLECTOR CS, ONGOLE TOWN, PRAKASAM DIST.- 523001 3. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, ONGOLE TOWN, PRAKASAM DIST.-523001 4. THE TAHSILDAR, SINGARAYAKONDA MANDAL, PRAKASAM DIST.- 523101 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue Writ Order or Orders or a Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the 3rd respondent in not concluding the enquiry within stipulated period of 90 days and continuing to place the petitioner under suspension for indefinite time vide Rc.1/3501/2024 DT. 16-12-2024 in respect of the FP Shop No.0856008, Singarayakonda Town And Mandal, Prakasam Dist., is contrary to the orders passed by this Hon'ble Court in E.Lakshmi Narayana vs The State of Andhra Pradesh and ors and without following the procedure as contemplated under AP State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order,2018 as illegal, arbitrary, and violative of principles of natural justice and consequently revoke the suspension order dt. 16-12-2024 by directing the respondents to release Essential Commodities in favour of the petitioner as usual and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased Suspend the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent vide Rc.I/3501/2024 DT: 16-12-2024 in respect of FP Shop FP Shop No.0856008, Singarayakonda Town And Mandal, Prakasam Dist., by continuing the petitioner as dealer as usual, pending disposal of the writ petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. M M M SRINIVASA RAO Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES The Court made the following: ::ORDER :: Heard Sri M.M.M. Srinivasa Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Vineeeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, appeared for the respondents. 2. The petitioner was appointed as a permanent dealer for Fair Price Shop bearing No.0856008 of Singarayakonda Town and Mandal, Prakasam District. An inspection was conducted by the Enforcement Deputy Tahsildar, Singarayakonda, on 11.11.2024, and certain variations were found in respect of commodities. The inspecting officer submitted a report to respondent No.3. Thereafter, a show-cause was issued to the petitioner on 25.11.2024 (Ex.P3) by respondent No.3. The petitioner submitted an explanation dated 23.12.2024 (Ex.P4). Respondent No.3, by proceedings vide Rc.I/3501/2024, dated 16.12.2024 (Ex.P1), suspended the authorisation of the petitioner, pending the inquiry. The petitioner filed an appeal before respondent No.2 vide Rc./CS2/5/2025 (Ex.P5). Respondent No.2, by proceedings in Rc.CS2/05/2025, dated 02.04.2025 (Ex.P6), remanded the matter to respondent No.3. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that though the respondent No.2 remanded the matter on 02.04.2025, the inquiry has not been concluded by the respondent No.3 and thereby violated clause 8(4) of the Andhra Pradesh Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Order, 2018’). 4. Sri Vineeeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents, would submit that due to exigency, the inquiry has not been concluded so far. He would also submit that respondent No.3 will conclude the inquiry within four (04) weeks from today. 5. Given the facts and circumstances of the case, keeping the writ petition pending and inviting a counter-affidavit will not serve any purpose. Hence, the Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with the consent of both the learned counsel appearing on either side, with the following directions: (i) The learned respondent No.3 shall conclude the inquiry pursuant to the show-cause notice issued on 25.11.2024 (Ex.P3), duly considering the explanation submitted by the petitioner vide Ex.P4, if necessary, by providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within four (04) weeks from today. (ii) The petitioner shall cooperate with the inquiry. (iii) If the learned respondent No.3 fails to conclude the inquiry within the stipulated period, the proceedings issued by respondent No.3 vide Ex.P1, suspending the authorisation of the petitioner, shall stand suspended, without reference to any further orders. No order as to costs. As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI Date: 29.06.2026 TVN Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No 15 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION No.16840 OF 2026 Date: 29.06.2026 TVN